Success continues at the Woking Open

WOKING, GREAT BRITAIN: For the 13th successive year the Woking Open Veterans Tennis Tournament was held at the Woking Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Pine Road, Hook Heath, Woking.

Almost 200 senior tennis players from 35 to almost 80 years in age participated in this international tournament, which was played from 19 to 23 September 2012.

Although the weather was good to start, the finals day was brought forward by one day due to anticipated bad weather. This was proved to be a good decision by referee and organisers.

The level of participants in the younger age groups for men was great to see and helped by the flexibility of match times.

Organisers, players and crowds were thrilled to see the return to competitive tennis of past GB star Roger Taylor who clinched the 70s men’s singles title.

The 35s men’s singles was won again by Mark Beim and the combined 40/45s women’s singles by Alison Hannah-Taylor.

Ian Baggett was the surprise winner of the men’s 40s, while Mark Rowe overcame Mike Johnson in 3 sets in the 45s.

Rajiv Batra retained his 50s title, but Arun Vethakken lost his to Robert Short in the 55s.

Rob Dickson came first again the 60s winning all his matches in 2 sets.

The finals of the men’s 65s turned out to be a very hotly contested match with Chris Ornstien beating Roger Ingham 7-5 in the third set tiebreak.

Susan Reid won the women’s 50s and unseeded Nicolette Lemon was victorious in the 55s.

The tournament was again successfully managed by referee Peter Grimsdale with the help of Club members Sara Anderson, Shirley Bedford, Terry Oakley and others.

David Shrimpton, the groundsman, once again ensured the courts were in the best possible condition.

As with the last two years, the tournament was generously sponsored by the law firm Morrisons Solicitors through Senior Partner Richard Rose. The Club is also grateful to Peter Jagger of Jaggerprint who provided sponsorship in the form of posters.

All results can be found on the Club website by clicking on (www.wltcc.org.uk) and on the ITF Seniors website. To see the photos of Finals day one can click on Facebook on the Club’s website or go to